Background: Rising tensions with Syria

By John Boyd | Houston Chronicle

on August 30, 2013 5:12 PM

Syria is located in the Middle East, bordered by Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Iraq to the east, Turkey to the north and Jordan and Israel to the south.

Syria is located in the Middle East, bordered by Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Iraq to the east, Turkey to the north and Jordan and Israel to the south.

Photo: Globe Turner, LLC, Getty Images/GeoNova Maps

Syria is located in the Middle East, bordered by Lebanon and the... Photo-5167566.69940 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Bashar al-Assad

Bashar al-Assad has been the president and commander in chief since 2000. He is also the Regional Secretary of the Syrian-led branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. Bashar is no stranger to the Western world: as a medical student, he trained and studied in London. less

Bashar al-Assad has been the president and commander in chief since 2000. He is also the Regional Secretary of the Syrian-led branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. Bashar is no stranger to the Western ... more

Photo: Sasha Mordovets, Getty Images

Bashar al-Assad has been the president and commander in chief since... Photo-5167567.69940 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Hafez al-Assad

The Assad family has controlled Syria since 1971 when Bashar's father Hafez al-Assad (at right) took power. The line of power initially was intended to go to Bashar's brother, Bassel al-Assad, however the older brother was killed in an auto accident in 1994. It is estimated the Assad family is worth approximately $1.5 billion. less

The Assad family has controlled Syria since 1971 when Bashar's father Hafez al-Assad (at right) took power. The line of power initially was intended to go to Bashar's brother, Bassel al-Assad, however the older ... more

Photo: Kaveh Kazemi, Getty Images

The Assad family has controlled Syria since 1971 when Bashar's... Photo-5167568.69940 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Walid Muallem

Walid Muallem serves as Syrian foreign minister. In many ways, he is the spokesman to the world for the Assad regime. On August 27, 2013, Muallem said the government of Assad, which has been fighting an insurgency for the past 29 months, had defenses that would "surprise" the world. less

Walid Muallem serves as Syrian foreign minister. In many ways, he is the spokesman to the world for the Assad regime. On August 27, 2013, Muallem said the government of Assad, which has been fighting an ... more

The Syrian Armed Forces, led by Assad as commander in chief, is comprised of an army, navy, air force and air defense force. Their weapons and equipment stockpile is largely Russian-built, including Cold War surplus. less

The Syrian Armed Forces, led by Assad as commander in chief, is comprised of an army, navy, air force and air defense force. Their weapons and equipment stockpile is largely Russian-built, including Cold War ... more

Photo: AFP, AFP/Getty Images

The Syrian Armed Forces, led by Assad as commander in chief, is... Photo-5167570.69940 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Civil war erupts

The Syrian civil war erupted March 15, 2011 as part of the so-called "Arab Spring." The Syrian military was deployed to stop the uprising the following month.

The Syrian civil war erupted March 15, 2011 as part of the so-called "Arab Spring." The Syrian military was deployed to stop the uprising the following month.

Photo: AFP, AFP/Getty Images

The Syrian civil war erupted March 15, 2011 as part of the... Photo-5167571.69940 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The opposition

Opposition forces look to overthrow the Assad regime to start a new government based on the teachings of the Quran and sharia law. Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib (left), a former president of the Syrian National Coalition, is a prominent leader of the Syrian opposition. less

Opposition forces look to overthrow the Assad regime to start a new government based on the teachings of the Quran and sharia law. Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib (left), a former president of the Syrian National ... more

Also among the rebels opposing the Syrian government is Jabhat al-Nusra ("The Support Front for the People of Greater Syria"), also known as the al-Nusra Front. The al Qaeda-aligned Sunni Islamic group has been designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and United Kingdom, among other nations. less

Also among the rebels opposing the Syrian government is Jabhat al-Nusra ("The Support Front for the People of Greater Syria"), also known as the al-Nusra Front. The al Qaeda-aligned Sunni Islamic group has ... more

Photo: AAMIR QURESHI, AFP/Getty Images

Also among the rebels opposing the Syrian government is Jabhat... Photo-5167573.69940 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Chemical weapons attack

In effort to put down the rebel forces, the Syrian government in August 2013 launched chemical weapons attacks, now believed to include sarin gas, upon its people. At least 1,400 were believed killed, including children. less

In effort to put down the rebel forces, the Syrian government in August 2013 launched chemical weapons attacks, now believed to include sarin gas, upon its people. At least 1,400 were believed killed, including ... more

Photo: Uncredited, ASSOCIATED PRESS

In effort to put down the rebel forces, the Syrian government in... Photo-5167574.69940 - Beaumont Enterprise

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U.S. reacts

After video of Syria's chemical attacks on its people spread on the internet, several United Nation members spoke out against the Assad regime, demanding international response.
“The primary question is no longer, ‘what do we know?’ It’s, ‘what are we, we in the world, going to do about it?’” said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. President less

After video of Syria's chemical attacks on its people spread on the internet, several United Nation members spoke out against the Assad regime, demanding international response.
“The primary question is no ... more

Photo: Charles Dharapak, ASSOCIATED PRESS

After video of Syria's chemical attacks on its people spread... Photo-5167575.69940 - Beaumont Enterprise

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British vote

British Prime Minister David Cameron's vote to endorse military action against Syria failed by 13 votes in the British Parliament. The stunning defeat meant that any international action against Syria likely will see no direct British involvement. less

British Prime Minister David Cameron's vote to endorse military action against Syria failed by 13 votes in the British Parliament. The stunning defeat meant that any international action against Syria likely ... more

Russia and the U.S. have clashed in the UN Security Council since the early days of the conflict. Both nations hold veto power.

However, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his country have offered a potential solution that might prevent international military involvement and stave off a wider conflict. Under the plan, Syria would allow monitoring of its chemical weapon stockpile. Syria has agreed to the plan, but it is unknown if the plan would actually prevent future uses of sarin or other gasses against the Syrian people by its government. less

Russia and the U.S. have clashed in the UN Security Council since the early days of the conflict. Both nations hold veto power.

However, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his country have offered a potential ... more

Photo: RIA-Novosti, Mikhail Klimentyev, Presidential Press Service

Russia and the U.S. have clashed in the UN Security Council since... Photo-5167578.69940 - Beaumont Enterprise